Washing and drying apparatus for photographic films.



No. 762,886. PATENTED JUNE 21, 1904, W. GROSS. WASHING AND DRYINGAPPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIG FILMS.

Arruci'non FILED APR. 8. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

Witnes s: [Vi/lid??? 67'055. Inventor,

Attorneys UNITED STATES Patented June 21, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM CROSS, OF CALGARY, CANADA.

WASHING AND DRYING APPARATUS FOR PHOTOGRAPHIC FILMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 762,886, dated June 21,1904. Application filed April 8, 1903. Serial No. 151,608. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, TILLIAM Cnoss, a subject of the King of GreatBritain, residing at Calgary, Alberta, North-Vest Territories, Canada,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing and DryingApparatus for Photographic Films; and I do hereby declare that thefollowing is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, suchas will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same.

My invention relates to photography, and is especially concerned inproviding an improved apparatus for washing and drying photograph-filmssuch as are used in kodaks and similar cameras, which films consist ofcontinuous bands, successiveportions of which have been exposed.Hitherto films have been dried by simply pinning them upon a board, andthe films usually exhibited a strong tendency to curl at the edges,which is most undesirable. My invention overcomes this difficulty. V

In its general construction the invention contemplates the employment ofa box or receptacle through which running water may flow, and thisreceptacle is provided with arrangements for securing a film within thesame in such a manner as to be thoroughly washed by the Water. Improvedmeans are provided for attaching and removing the film, all with a viewto facilitating the washing and subsequent drying of the film.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts tobe more fully described hereinafter, and definitely set forth in theclaims.

In the drawings, which fully illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a planof the device with its cover removed. Fig. 2 is substantially a sideelevation, a portion of the apparatus being shown in section, as willappear. Fig. 3 is a perspective view representinga portion of theforward end of the apparatus. Fig. 4 is a perspective view representinga portion of the opposite or rear end of the apparatus. Fig. 5 is aperspective view, upon a much enlarged scale, showing how aphotograph-film is held within the device during the washing operation.

Throughout the drawings and specification the same numerals of referenceindicate like parts.

Referring more particularly to the parts, 10 represents the body of theapparatus, which, as indicated, consists, substantially, of an elongatedrectangular box, which is preferably formed of sheet metal or similarmaterial, adapted to contain a bath. The box shown is provided with alongitudinally-disposed partition 11, which divides the space within thebox into two compartments, so that the device shown is adapted to washtwo films at the same time. Of course, if desired, the body or box 10may be made of greater width, so as to Wash a greater number of filmssimultaneously, there being then a plurality of longitudinally-disposeddividing-partitions.

WVithin each of the compartments 12 there is disposed an elongated bandor plate 13, preferably formed of sheet metal. This plate, it should beunderstood, is removable and sim ply rests upon the bottom of the box orcompartment. To this plate are attached a plurality of clips 14, whichare disposed at equidistant intervals along the length thereof, theirdistance apart depending upon the length of the successive exposures orpictures upon the film, as will be readily understood, and it should bestated that they are so placed that they lie at the lines of divisionbetween the successive exposures. It should be understood that theseclips afford means for securing the film. The manner in which they dothis will be hereinafter described. Referring more especially to Fig. 5,it should appear that each of the clips 14 comprises a band 15, disposedtransversely beneath the said plate 13, which band is bent upwardly atthe sides to form standards 16, which terminate above in enlarged heads17 and 18, respectively, as indicated. It should appear that thesestandards are reinforced by bending the hand back upon itself, asindicated at 19, and below this point the band terminates in horizontalextensions 20, which project toward each other and are substantiallyparallel with the aforesaid portion 15 and the extensions 20, and itshould appear that this arrangement affords means whereby the clipsresiliently clasp the plate. At the same time, evidently, they might beslipped along into any new desired position if suflicient force be used.These standards 16 aforesaid are connected by struts 21 near their upperportions, which struts consist, substantially, of members formed oflight metal of channel shape, as shown, the channel or concave side ofthe same being disposed upwardly, as will appear. The extremities ofthese struts are formed with integral feet 22, which are secured to thestandards, as shown. It should be observed that the heads 17 aforesaidare cut away centrally, as shown, so as to form oppositely-disposed ears23, in which are mounted pivot-pins 24, to which are rigidly attachedlight bars or keepers 25. It should be understood that these keepers byreason of the pivots 24 may swing in a vertical plane, and the aforesaidchannelstruts 21 are disposed in the planes in which these keepersswing, and the arrangement is such that these keepers may be swung down,so that they could lie in the channels 21 and would afford means forclamping an article, such as a photograph-film 29, thereagainst. Asindicated, these keepers 25 are preferably formed with crooks 26 attheir extremities, and they are adapted to be retained in their lockedor clamping position by means of the undercut notches or recesses 27formed in the heads 18, it being understood that a certain resiliency ofthe parts permits the keep-.

ers to be thrown to a certain extent out of their normal plane, so as toenter the laterallydisplaced openings 28 of the recesses 27.

The manner of applying the film and clamping the same to thechannel-struts 21 should clearly appear from an inspection of Figs. 3and 5. It should be stated that in applying a film, however, it ispreferably clamped first at its ends, a slight tension being given tothe film before clamping the same at these points. The film is thensecured to the intermediatelydisposed clips at the lines of divisionbetween the successive exposures, the film being clamped in this mannerwith its face or active side downwardly. The films having been placed inthe compartments in the manner described, running water may be admittedto the compartments by means of the rubberhose connection 30, comprisingthe branches 31 and stop-cocks 32 for controlling the flow through thesaid branches. The water finds outlet through the spouts 33, one ofwhich is provided in connection with each of the compartments 12. Theseare disposed at a high level, so as to insure the proper immersion ofthe film during the washing operation,

The box 10 may be provided with a suitable cover 34 of substantially theconstruction shown, comprising a marginal flange 35, the rear portion 36whereof is provided with a pair of openings 37 corresponding in positionto the aforesaid spouts 33 and which are adapted to receive the same inthe manner indicated in Fig. 4:, it being understood that in order toapply the cover the spouts 33 would be first inserted in the openings 37and the cover thereafter moved longitudinally and downwardly until itseated itself properly. There is, of course, sufficient play or spaceallowed between the spouts 33 and the edges of the opening 37 to permitthe manipulation described.

It will appear that my invention is especially adapted for receivingfilms directly from the fixing solution used in their development, thedevice being supported upon a suitable horizontal table or shelf, sothat the running water may pass from the spouts 33 to a sink or basin.After the washing operation is complete the film and the plate, togetherwith the clips,

may be removed bodily, their relation being maintained undisturbed,whereupon the film may be set in an exposed position, where it will dryquickly. It should appear that the keepers 25 afford effective means forpreventing the undesirable tendency to curl at the longitudinal edges ofthe film, which tendency usually manifests itself with many forms ofapparatus for this purpose.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings the preferred form of myinvention, it will be understood that I do not limit myself to theprecise form shown, for many of the details may be changed in form orposition without affecting the operativeness or utility of my invention,and 1 therefore reserve the right to make all such modifications as areincluded within the scope of the following claims or of mechanicalequivalents to the structures set forth.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the class described, in combination, an elongatedreceptacle for a bath, a removable member lying within the same andimmersed in said bath, and fastening devices attached to said removablemember at regular intervals 'equal to the distance between the picturesand adapted tosupport a film horizontally thereabove.

2. In a device of the class described, in combination, a receptacle fora bath, a removable member mounted therein, and means for attaching afilm to said removable member substantially at the lines of divisionbetween the exposures upon said film.

'3. In a device of the class described, in combination, a receptacle fora bath, a plurality of fastening devices disposed within the same, saidfastening devices being adapted to secure a film at the lines ofdivision between adjacent exposures upon the same.

4. In a device of the class described, in combination, an elongatedmember, clips carried thereby and movable longitudinally with respect tothe same, said clips constituting fastening devices for attaching afilm.

5. In a device of the class described, in combination, an elongatedmember, clips carried thereby and movable longitudinally with respect tothe same, said clips comprising transversely-disposed members adapted toclamp a photograph-film therebetween.

6. In a device of the class described, in combination, an elongatedmember, a clip carried thereby and comprising transversely-disposedmembers adapted to clamp a film therebetween, one of said members beingsubstantially of channel form, and one of said members being movable.

7. In a device of the class described, in combination, an elongatedmember, resilient clips adapted to slide thereupon, said clipscomprising transversely-disposed members adapted to clampaphotograph-film therebetwcen, one of said members being movable.

8. In a device of the class described, in combination, an elongatedmember, clips carried thereby and having oppositely-disposed standards,a fixed member connecting said standards, and a movable membercooperating therewith to clamp a photograph-film thereto.

9. In a device of the class described, in combination, an elongatedplate, clips having resilient extensions adapted to clamp said plate,said clips comprising oppositely disposed standards, and a pivotedmember connecting said standards and adapted to clamp a filmtherebetween.

10. A film-holder for washing photographic roll-films, comprising abody-piece having a plurality of transverse clips thereon at intervalscorresponding to the distance between the successive photographs on thefilm-roll.

11. A film-holder for roll-films while being washed and dried,comprising an elongated body member adapted to hold a strip of filmhaving a series of photographs thereon, and a plurality of adjustableclips adapted to seize the film transversely from side to side in thespaces between the photographs.

12. A film-holder for photographic rollfilms while being washed anddried, comprising an elongated body member, a series of offset standardsslidable longitudinallythereon, and a plurality of clips carried by saidstandards and comprising jaws extending transversely of the film.

13. A washing and drying apparatus for photographic roll-films,comprising an elongated shallow tray, means for supporting a strip offilm parallel to the bottom of said tray, and means for directing acurrent of water from one end of said tray to the other end thereof.

1 1. A washing and drying apparatus for photographic roll-films,comprising a shallow elongated tray having approximately the area of astrip of film, a removable frame adapted to hold a strip of filmstretched in said tray in horizontal position and parallel to the lengththereof, and means for producing a current of water longitudinally insaid tray.

15. A washing and drying apparatus for photographic roll-films,comprising a shallow elongated tray having approximately the area of astrip of film, a removable frame adapted to hold astrip of filmstretched in said tray in horizontal position and parallel to the lengththereof, a water-inlet at one end of said tray, and a water-outlet atthe other end thereof.

16. A washing and drying apparatus for photographic films, comprising awater-tray, means for producing a current of water longitudinallytherein, and means for supporting a strip of film horizontally andlongitudinally in said tray.

17. A washing and drying apparatus for photographic films, comprising awater-tray, means for producing a current of water longitudinallytherein, and a plurality of clips comprising transverse jaws positionedbetween the successive photographs on a strip of roll-film and adaptedto extend from side to side of said film and clamp the same.

18. A washing and drying apparatus for photographic.roll-films,comprising a double water-tray divided by a partition, means forsupporting a strip of film longitudinally in each compartment, andindependent means for directing a current of water through eachcompartment of said tray.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twowitnesses.

\VILLIAM CROSS.

Witnesses:

MAGGIE RITCHIE, M. (J. BERNARD.

